Garth Buchko named President and Chief Executive Officer of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers

The Winnipeg Football Club announced today that Garth Buchko will become President and Chief Executive Officer of the organization effective March 1, 2012. Buchko has an extensive background as a senior executive, most notably as General Manager of CJOB, Power 97 and Groove FM for the past 16 years. Buchko becomes the 39th President in club history.

Winnipeg Blue Bomber Board Chairman, Bill Watchorn, states, “The Board conducted a very thorough and disciplined North American search for this position which brought forward a number of outstanding candidates. We chose Garth for his tremendous leadership skills and his excellent sales, marketing and branding strengths. He has a great deal of experience at the executive level.”

Buchko joins the Winnipeg Football Club after operating one of the strongest radio groups in all of Canada relating to ratings, revenue and profit growth.

“Garth has been very successful, has extensive senior management experience and has proven success in all aspects of leading a results driven organization,” said Watchorn.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for me to serve the Winnipeg Football Club in this capacity,” said Buchko. “I am thrilled to join one of the historic sports franchises in this country, and look forward to working with the entire organization as we look ahead to many exciting times in the coming years. This organization drives deep into the fabric of our province and I am excited beyond words to help us continue to strive for excellence.”

Buchko is also heavily involved in many charities in Manitoba, including being the Founder and Chair of ‘Hunger for Hope’ through Winnipeg Harvest. He has served as a Board member and the Fundraising Chair of the Manitoba Special Olympics, the Public Relations Chair for the Children’s Hospital Foundation and is currently on the Board for the Health Sciences Centre Foundation.

Buchko was born and raised in Winnipeg. He is married to his wife Lesley, with three children; son, Matthew (22), daughter, Riley (15) and son, Connor (12).